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Here’s the expanded KISSology/KISSmas programming that will run this Thursday December 25th – 16 1/2 Hours of KISSmass BLISS on VH1 Classic. All times Eastern & Pacific (check local listings to confirm):

Walter Trout’s critically acclaimed 2008 release THE OUTSIDER [Mascot Records] is nominated by The Blues Foundation and the Blues Music Awards for Rock Blues Album of the Year.

THE OUTSIDER features 13 WalterTrout originals (the title track co-written with Trout’s bass player Rick Knapp). Trout’s backing band on THE OUTSIDER includes drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp), bassist Hutch Hutchinson and pianist Jon Clearly (Bonnie Raitt), as well as Skip Edwards and Samuel Avila on the Hammond B3 and a special guest appearance by harmonica wiz Jason Ricci.

Stylistically hard to pigeonhole – – Is Trout’s music too blues for rock – or too rock for blues? — to label Walter Trout’s music is to limit it. With more than 35 years of touring and recording under his belt, this New Jersey native has been “loved and hated, accused and vindicated, packaged and presented for everyone to see,” as his brand new, autobiographical song ‘Welcome To The Human Race’ details.

Being in the studio with Trout approaches temporary insanity – the excitement, the unknown, the experimentation. Truly tantalizing sounds on par with those infamous Eric Clapton licks and Stevie Ray Vaughan riffs, are testament to Trout’s talent. His music speaks to your soul, warms your heart and has your foot tapping. Trout brings the blues to life and invigorates rock in a manner all too rare these days.

2009 is the year of Zombie as Rob Zombie steps forward to write and direct H2, sequel his box office hit HALLOWEEN in 2007.

Once again, Rob Zombie has been tapped to write and direct “H2,” the sequel to Zombie’s 2007 reinvention of the horror classic “Halloween.” Malek Akkad of Trancas International Films, who also produced 2007’s Halloween with Dimension, will produce the sequel, along with Andy Gould of Spectacle Entertainment Group, Zombie’s long time manager and producing partner. The announcement was made by Bob Weinstein, Co-Chairman of The Weinstein Company.

Dimension’s “Halloween” scored the highest Labor Day weekend opening ever with a record-breaking $30.6 million in its first four days of release and went on to gross nearly $60 million at the domestic box office in 2007.

Zombie’s “H2” will pick up at the exact moment the first movie stopped and follow the aftermath of Michael Myers murderous rampage through the eyes of heroine Laurie Strode.

“H2” will be Zombie’s fifth written and directed feature. Prior to the success of Halloween, Zombie released the critically-acclaimed film “The Devil’s Rejects” (2005), the follow-up to his cult classic “House of 1000 Corpses” (2004). Zombie just wrapped production on his animated feature film “The Haunted World of El Superbeasto” due to be released in 2009. Zombie, also an accomplished recording artist, has sold over fifteen million albums worldwide, making him one of Geffen Records’ top selling and longest running artists.

Bob Weinstein stated: “Following the success of 2007’s ‘Halloween,’ we are thrilled to be back in business with Rob Zombie, bringing a sequel to theatres. The fans have made it clear – and we agree – that they feel the franchise is in great hands with Rob Zombie.”

”I am very excited to be working with Bob Weinstein again and returning to the world of ‘Halloween,’ states Zombie. “The remake laid the groundwork, now it’s time to really take Michael Myers to the next level. I believe we’ve just barely scratched the surface of where we can take this series.“

In the music arena, Zombie has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for Lords of Salem off the Educated Horses album [Geffen Records]. 2009 also brings a new studio album, still un-titled and the White Zombie box set [UMe Records] is out now. Zombie also finished his long time project “The Haunted World of El Superbeasto” a full length cartoon feature whose release date is soon to be announced. For updates on ALL Zombie click to www.myspace.com/robzombie

The video below was taken in September of 2007. On the strength of Black Stone Cherry’s tour with Whitesnake and Def Leppard earlier this year, “Hell and Highwater” has been HRH’s 8th most watched video this year.

The Darkness are considering reforming for a new album and tour, according to newspaper reports.

The band, who split in 2006, are apparently considering an offer made by the US entrepreneur behind the Dubai Desert Rocks festival to tour in 2009, reports The Sun.

However, bitter internal disputes between all four band members may put any possible reunion in jeopardy.

Relations between singer Justin Hawkins and brother/guitarist Dan Hawkins have apparently been strained since the band’s break-up, and the guitarist and drummer Ed Graham are also suing the band’s management over money they claim they are owed.

Bassist Frankie Poullain left the group in 2005, though it is not clear if a proposed reunion would include him.

As previously reported, Justin Hawkins’ new band Hot Leg made their live debut at London‘s Proud Galleries on August 6